JACKSONVILLE, Alabama - Jacksonville State Head football coach Jack Crowe was released from the remaining two years of his contract on Friday, according to Athletics Director Warren Koegel.

"I want to thank Coach Crowe for his years of service and recognize the work he and all of his assistants have done in support of our student-athletes," Koegel said. "It is never easy to make a coaching change, but during this time of transition, the expectations of our department remain the same.

"Our vision and mission are winning conference championships and advancing to the postseason on a regular basis," Koegel added. "We continue to value student-athlete success academically and expect them to be great citizens in our community."

Under Crowe's leadership, Jacksonville State posted an 87-57 record during 13 seasons, including winning three Ohio Valley Conference Championships (2003, 2004, 2011). The Gamecocks advanced to the NCAA playoffs three times during his tenure (2003, 2004, 2010), but failed to win a postseason game.

Crowe ends his tenure with the second most wins in Jacksonville State history and served the second-longest tenure of any coach in program history, trailing only Don Salls' total of 95 wins over 18 seasons. Crowe picked up one of the biggest wins in school history with a 49-48 double-overtime road win over Ole Miss to open the 2010 season.

"I'm honored to have been the coach at Jacksonville State University," Crowe said. "I felt like we have moved the program forward over the last 13 years. There is still a lot left to be done.

"After several discussions with Warren (Koegel), I realized I did not have the support to get those things done," Crowe added. "I have decided, in my life, I didn't want to wait too late in finding new opportunities."

A national search for the program's 13th head coach since the modern era of Gamecock football began in 1945 will begin immediately.